The 2023 NFL draft was filled with a bunch of great quarterbacks, including Heisman Trophy winner, Bryce Young. 

Young went in the first round with the first pick selected by the Carolina Panthers. Going into the 2023 season expectations were high for Young. Young had an amazing collegiate career at the University of Alabama that resulted in him winning a Heisman trophy and several other accolades. However, this did not transition into the NFL as most expected (Sports Illustrated).

Some like to say it’s the stature at which Bryce Young stands, with him being particularly small for an NFL quarterback at 5 ’10 and 205 pounds. Others like to blame it on the rest of the Panthers team, saying the offensive line isn’t giving him any time to make a decision. In the NFL everything is quicker, including the defensive and offensive schemes, so some believe his problem is his inability to adjust to the speed of NFL defenses (ESPN).

In college, he was surrounded by the best of the best at Alabama and he also faced less complicated defensive schemes. Injuries have also played a significant role in his unsuccessful start in the NFL missing a good amount of time with various injuries. 

With all this being said the pressure of being labeled a “bust” isn’t going to help his confidence either. Bryce Young’s NFL career is a great example of the unpredictability of the draft and the challenges of going from the collegiate level to the professional level.